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Tuesday, December 29, 2015

New Year's Customs

Happy New Year from our family to yours!

In
the US we watch the ball drop on Times Square, drink too much champagne, kiss
everyone within sight at midnight, vow to do better next year, then go home and
sleep until noon.

What strange and wacky customs do others participate in?

In the southern United States, it is customary to eat black eyed peas on New
Years Day. If you do so, this is supposed to bring good luck for the
entire year. People who eat cabbage on NYD do so because it is supposed
to bring prosperity. So there you have it--your New Years Day menu should
be black eyed peas and cabbage in order to bring good luck and money in
2016. Hmm....

Another food custom has to do with eating circle-shaped foods, which is
supposed to reflect on the continuity of life. This is one we can get
down with, because three things immediately come to mind: bagels, donuts and
Liefsavers. Not a very balanced meal, but definitely yummier than black
eyed peas and cabbage!

It is also said you should not take anything in or out of the house on New
Years Day. Some people take this so seriously that they even take the
trash out the night before. Others cavalierly dismiss this as they sail
out the door with unwanted Christmas gifts to return for cash.

Don't lend money or pay off loans on NYD or you will be paying all year
long. Don't cry on NYD or you will have a long, sad year.

In Great Britain, people eagerly await the 'First Footer'--the first person
across the threshold of their home on New Years Day. If he is a tall,
dark-haired and handsome stranger, it is said to bring good luck all
year. Think of how sad it would be if someone knocked and it was just
your pudgy, bald Uncle Ernie. Sigh.

Filipino customs say that noise scares away evil beings, so they yell and clap
hands and bang on pots at midnight. Perhaps that is where we get the
custom of using noisemakers. And here we thought it was just to annoy
everyone within earshot...

In Spain, when the clock strikes midnight, people eat 12 grapes which is
supposed to bring good luck. Not sure if a glass of wine counts as 12
grapes, but what the heck...

In Brazil, most people wear white for New Years celebrations, as it is said to
be lucky. Not so lucky in the US, where it is considered gauche to wear
white after Labor Day.

Puerto Ricans toss a cup of cold water out the window at midnight, which is
also supposed to bring good fortune throughout the year. Unless, of
course, your litigious neighbor is walking under said window when the water is
tossed.

No matter how you celebrate the New Year, why not start by making the
resolution to have pretty flowers around you all year long? Check out our
new arrangements at www.cactusflower.com